Sonam Hajela

Sonam Hajela covers Manhattan Valley in the Upper West Side for the Neighborhood Beat Box. She interned at the Parklander, a local magazine in South Florida, where she eventually became associate editor. She also interned in the beauty department at Marie Claire magazine. Sonam was born in India and lived the first half of her life in the Middle East. She is a print journalist and is interested in women’s issues, culture and fashion. While studying at Tufts University, she initially thought of becoming a lawyer. But after spending a year studying abroad in London, she had a change of heart and decided to travel and pursue her love for writing and news.

Stories by Hajela

More News

Tribeca residents reflect on neighborhood’s history a decade after 9/11

The infusion of millions of dollars in federal funding has helped draw people to Lower Manhattan, fueling a surge in population.
Curry Hill restaurants score low grades on health inspections

The name Curry Hill invokes thoughts of Indian food for some, but recently it’s been a hot-bed for poor restaurant grades.
Passaic Street site scheduled for a facelift

The Hackensack planning board has approved 458 Passaic Street, a former car dealership that sat as an abandoned lot for years.
Artist brings flavors of immigrant neighborhoods to Times Square

Outside, all of Takagi’s photos grace the sides of 25 trash cans scattered around the Broadway plazas.
Superfund site cleanup finishes this summer

Town officials and residents are debating the future of the Farmingdale Liberty Site.
Harlem celebrates Obama’s birthday, 2012 campaign launch

Harlem4Obama celebrated the president’s 50th birthday and re-election campaign kickoff.

Photos on flickr

Living

Crotona Park East and West Farms to get facelift

Twenty percent of the new development area will be reserved for affordable housing, according to the group’s proposal.

Politics

Harlem artist, neighborhood work to preserve murals

Many Harlem residents consider these gates a part of the neighborhood’s history.

Religion

Racial propaganda causes concern in Greenpoint

White supremacist fliers were left under the windshield wipers of cars parked overnight in Greenpoint, but officials say their message is protected under the First Amendment.